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WILLIAM Il. WILSONVOF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

Letters Patent No. 82,370, dated September 22, 1868.

GAME.

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`Lr-o ALL WHOM 1T MAY ooN'oERN:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. WILSON, of Providence, in the county of Providence, and State of Rhode` Island, have invented a new and improved Parlor or Field-Ball Game; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable those skilled `in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a plan or top view of my improved game.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to a new game, which is partly one of skill, and partly of chance.

The invention cohsists in the use of a revolving pointer or index-hand, moving'over a disk on which numbers or words are marked, said index-hand being either itself exposed, or having a pendant or arm which is exposed to the action of a ball'thrown by the player. i I

As the ball strikes the pointer or its arm, the same' will swing around its pivot, and will, when it comes to rest, point to a gure, word, or mark on the disk, thereby indicating the further progress of the game.

A, in the drawing, represents the Hoor on which the game i-s to be set up.

If it is a'parlor-game, a 'loor or bottom is required, and the same may be surrounded by a ledge, a, as shown.

For field-games, the oor is'not necessary, nor the ledge.

B B are posts or pins, fitted vertically into the ground or door.

On each pin B is secured a disk or plate, C, the surface of which is divided into a series of sectors, or is otherwise subdivided.

On each subdivision is marked a Word, igure, or some-other 'niark which relates to the game.

D is a pointer, pivo'ted to the .pin B, so that it can swing around the same. r

Its end plays over the plate C, while its body may be pivoted below the plate, as in iig. 2, or, if desired, above the same.

When a ball, which may be thrown by hand,A o r by means of a mallet, or otherwise, strikes the pointer, or an arm, b, attached to the same, the pointer will swing around the pin b,- and will, when it comes to rest, point to a mark, figure, or wordpdenoting the advantage or losswhich the player will obtain from the action ofthe ball.

In this manner the game is at once one of skill and chance'.

The plates C, linstead of lbeing arranged aboutthe bodies of the-pointers, as shown, 1nay be arranged below the same, in which case the pointer may be a straight arrow, but when the plate` is above the body of the pointer, the indexarm of the same must be bent, as shown in lig. 2.

Insteadof having the plate C stationary, and the arm D swinging, the plate maybe swinging under or :above a stationary pointer.

The plate would, in that case, have an arm or arms or pallets, to allow the ball to reach it.

The pivotsiof the pointers orplates may, instead of beingupright, as shown, be arranged horizontally, or in any other convenient position.

The following rules for playing the game will be generally observed, but it is evident that many new com- ;binations may be formed, to produce new points of interest.

Rules.

Selecta fairly level piece of ground. First, drive down the centre-post Opposite side l of the centre-post, at a distance of fromeight (8) to ten (10) feet, set a numeral-dial, the dividing line between numbers oner(l) and ten (10) thereon being parallel with side 1, and at the right as you stand with your back to the centre-post. I

Opposite side 2, distance as above, set a word-dial, the dividing line between the words wander and run being parallel to side 2, and at the right.

Set the other numeral-dial opposite'side 3, and the other word-dial opposite si'de '4, in similar relative positions respectively.

Drive the small posts (1) one foot outside the circle of the dials, and midway between them.

The pointers of the dials, whenever a ball is to be driven towards them, should always be set, the numeralpointer on the dividing line between numbers one (l) and ten, (10) and the word-pointer on thc dividing line between the words wander and run.

Each player, in turn, will place his or her ball the length of a mallets head from side 1 of the centre-post, and drive it at the pointer on the opposite numeral-dial. The numbers registered determine their respective turns. The player registering the highest number shall have the first turn, and so downwards. In case of a tie, drive again till positions are determined. The players should be provided with tally-sheets.

The first player places his or herball the length of a mallets head from side l of the centre-post, and' drives it against the pointer of the opposite dial, (the pointer having been rst placed in position as previously directed.) The number indicated by the pointer counts him so much, and is to be set down on his tally.

He then Astrikes the ball to thc small post next around, and then back to the centre-post, each of which must be hit. He must then drive his ball at the pointer of the word-dial opposite side 2 of the centre-post. If the pointer is swung and it stops at run, he must drive to the centre-post. If either post is missed, the play is lost, and next player begins. 'But if he passes around, he strikes, as before, at the pointer of the numeral-dial opposite side 3 of the centre-post. i

Other words indicated by the pointer, when a ball is struck against a word-dial, produce effects on the game as follows:

Forfeit. A forfeit must be paid, to bc adjudged against him at the close of the game.

Stop Turn lost for the present. He must stop till it comes around again.

Lose Five (5) is to be deducted from his tally; or, if he has not already tallied so much, is to be charged to him, for deduction in the course of ythe game.

Add Five (5) to be added to the tally.

Drive He may place his ball against every ball on the ground (or table) in succession, and drive them in turn against the numeral-dials, tallying all they indicate. I

Wanden He is thrown out from playing regulariy, until restored, as below, but can drive his ball against every ball on the ground or table, aimingto have the'ball struck hit a pointer, and tallying all indicated on the numeral-dials. Should he succeed in striking a ball against a pointer on a. word-dial, so it points to ,add, he is restored to position, and can resume his game at the point from which he wandered.

The turn is lost, and next player begins, in either of the following cases:

First, if a' pointer is missed when striking at it.

Second, if it indicates aline, and not a space.

Third, if the ball is lost from the foot or fingers when on drive.

Fourth, if the posts are missed when striking at them.

Fifth, if anothers ball is used.

In banking, whatever is indicated on a dial, whether the pointer was in position or not, must be done or tallied.

Before beginning the game, the players agree what number e. g., thirty for a short game,) mustbe gained to constitute a players judgef The first tallying that amount is so entitled, and at the close of the game adjudges the forfeits.-

The player who rst succeeds in passing around the circle of the dials and posts, coming back to and hitting the centre-post, is declared victor.

But the players can, if they choose, b efore hitting the centre-post, simply drive and wander, using only the.numeral-dials, and tallying what they indicate.

If, accidentally, the centre-post is hit by the victors ball, or another player drives his ball against it, their play is out. The victor begins the next game.

I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- A game, consisting of a combination of the pointer D and plate or disk C, of which one is movable and the other stationary, the movable part being set by means of a ball propelled by thcplayer, as set forth.

WILLIAM H. WILSoN.

Witnesses:

CHARLES SELDEN, Joint G. PURKIs. 

